The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has officially announced the high-profile lineup of speakers and student participants for its upcoming Town Hall, scheduled to take place on November 2, 2026. The high-stakes discussion forms a central pillar of the organization’s landmark 40th Annual Conference, which will be hosted in the vibrant coastal city of Chula Vista, California.
The specially curated Town Hall, titled “Ready or Not: Thriving in the New Age of AI,” is designed to bring together a distinguished panel of educational leaders, industry experts, and rising scholars. Together, they will explore the profound opportunities, complex challenges, and overall transformative impact that artificial intelligence is currently having across the educational spectrum, including modern teaching methodologies, dynamic learning environments, holistic student success initiatives, and comprehensive workforce preparation.
With a dedicated and intentional focus on Hispanic-Serving Institutions, the high-level conversation will cast a bright spotlight on critical topics such as artificial intelligence ethics, responsible innovation, and the establishment of thoughtful guardrails. These safeguards are viewed by academic leaders as essential tools to protect vulnerable students, diverse communities, and foundational educational institutions while simultaneously expanding meaningful opportunities for the future workforce.
The newly revealed roster of speakers features prominent voices from across the educational and corporate landscapes who are actively navigating the digital transformation of higher education. The panel includes Manhattanville University President Frank Sanchez, Ph.D.; Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor Alberto J. Román, Ph.D.; and Daniel Altabello, Vice President of Digital Product at Pearson. Guiding the conversation as moderator for the Town Hall will be Laura Marquez, founder and principal of MARQ Strategies, who will lead the panel and the audience through a comprehensive exploration of the digital age.
Beyond the expert insights provided by institutional and industry leaders, the Town Hall will also place a unique and inspiring emphasis on the voices of the students who are directly experiencing and shaping this technological shift. A carefully selected group of students will take to the main stage to briefly showcase their own innovative artificial intelligence projects, demonstrating how the next generation is actively putting advanced technology into practice across diverse academic curricula.
Complementing the main stage presentations, additional student projects will be physically displayed throughout the event room, creating an interactive gallery space where conference attendees can explore, engage, and converse directly with the creators. These dynamic presentations are intended to highlight the creative ways in which students are navigating both the unprecedented opportunities and the inherent challenges of artificial intelligence, ultimately solidifying their active role in shaping the future trajectory of higher education.
